Feeding unit for feeding substances, in particular powdery, granular and similar substances, to containers

ABSTRACT

A unit for feeding powdery and/or granular products to containers includes a main body and a revolving funnel, through which the product reaches the main body. Driving means are provided for rotation of the revolving funnel with respect to the main body. Conveying and stirring means are carried by the funnel and driven into rotation within the main body to prevent formation of agglomerates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automaticlines for processing powdery, granular and similar substances, withparticular reference to outlet units aimed at filling correspondingcontainers and/or bottles.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] As regards the feeding of variable granulometry dosed substances,such as powders and/or granules, into corresponding containers, devicesare well known to the men skilled in the art, which are capable ofdetermining with high accuracy the fixed dosed amount, and which attheir end sections are provided with suitable outlet units.

[0003] Such outlet units are conventionally formed of passage tubes,freely crossed by the fixed flow of doses, draining by suitably sizednozzles adapted for being inserted into, or facing, the mouths of thecontainers, for feeding them.

[0004] In the event of dosing of fixed amounts of granular and/orpowdery substances, due to particularly small outlet sections of the endnozzles, so-called “bridges” may form into the corresponding passagetubes, that is, agglomerates of substances that hinder almost completelythe flow of the same substances through the end nozzles.

[0005] The phenomenon that causes the formation of “bridges” and/oragglomerates into the passage tubes is strictly related to the natureand to the volume of the dosed substances, as well as to the chemicaland physical working conditions inside the tubes themselves.

[0006] Such phenomenon is particularly frequent and burdensome when thecontainer inlet sections and thereby the corresponding nozzle outletsections are particularly small.

[0007] The situation is further worsened when particularly short timesfor filling the containers are required.

[0008] The difficulties of flow of the powdery and/or granularsubstances inside the tubes cause a considerable slowing down of thecontainer filling step, and in some cases they even cause a stop of theflows of doses directed therein, with a further accumulation andclogging of the passage tubes.

[0009] Besides affecting the proper operation of the outlet units and ofthe associated packaging lines, discontinuous flows of the powderyand/or granular substances through the end nozzle outlet sectionsstrongly limit the plant production rate and provide no guarantee as tothe proper filling of the containers.

[0010] Such problems are especially felt in the food and pharmaceuticalindustry, where granular and/or powdery substances require an accuratedosing into the containers.

[0011] As a consequence, a reduction of the container inlet sectionsimplies a reduction of the end nozzle outlet sections, with a highprobability of formation of “bridges” and agglomerates into the passagetubes, and with a considerable limitation to the performance of theoutlet units and of the packaging lines associated to them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Object of the present invention is that of proposing a unit forfeeding substances, in particular powdery, granular and similarsubstances, to corresponding containers, which should be capable ofovercoming the disadvantages mentioned above and ensuring an optimumflow through the end sections of the same outlet unit, irrespective ofthe volume of the doses and of the nature of the substances.

[0013] A further object of the present invention is that of proposing aunit capable of limiting and preventing the formation of “bridges”and/or agglomerates by the treated powdery and/or granular substances,so as to ensure a proper filling of the corresponding containers.

[0014] Moreover, a further object of the invention is that of proposingan outlet unit which ensures high reliability and productivity standardsin any working condition, irrespective of the nature of the dosedsubstance and of the chemical and physical working conditions into thesame unit.

[0015] The above objects are achieved, according to the contents of theclaims, by a feeding unit for feeding powdery and/or granular substancesto containers, including:

[0016] a main body with an inlet mouth and a bottom portion, forreceiving and conveying a flow of said substances;

[0017] one end nozzle joined to said bottom portion of said main bodyand designed for feeding said substances to said containers; the feedingunit further including:

[0018] conveying and stirring means turnably supported by said main bodyand extending inside said main body at least up to a region close tosaid end nozzle, for preventing formation of agglomerates into said flowof powdery and/or granular substance;

[0019] driving means for driving in rotation said conveying and stirringmeans with respect to said main body and in a space comprised withinsaid main body and said end nozzle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The features of the invention will appear more clearly from thefollowing description of some preferred but non-exclusive embodiments,made with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0021]FIG. 1 schematically shows a side view according to an axialsection, of the outlet unit proposed herein in a particular embodiment;

[0022]FIG. 1a schematically shows a side view according to an axialsection, of the same outlet unit according to an interesting alternativeembodiment

[0023]FIG. 2 schematically shows a side view of one of the possible usesof the outlet unit shown in FIGS. 1, 1a.

DISCLOSURE OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] With reference to the above drawings, in relation to a particularembodiment provided by way of an example, the general reference numeral1 indicates the outlet unit proposed herein for feeding powdery and/orgranular substances, carried by a carrousel conveyor 8 revolvingrelative to the corresponding axis 8 a (FIG. 2).

[0025] By way of an example, such outlet unit 1 is provided with a mainbody 2, supported by the carrousel conveyor 8, associated at its bottomside, for example by threading, to a sleeve 21 forming an annularchamber 21 a, open at the side opposed to the main body 2.

[0026] At a relative annular abutment 21 b, such sleeve 21 supports aninside tube 23, coaxial to it, connected at its bottom side, for exampleby threading, to an end nozzle 3 adapted for feeding the correspondingcontainers 10, substantially facing it.

[0027] The end nozzle 3, joined to the bottom portion of the inside tube23, is capable of sliding relative to sleeve 21 against elastic means 3a, so as to arrange properly facing, or inserted into, the correspondingcontainers 10.

[0028] The elastic means 3 a, for example consisting of a spring, arearranged into the annular chamber 21 a provided by sleeve 21, with whichthey are in abutment at the top.

[0029] The inside tube 23 and the end nozzle 3 are crossed by a flow ofpowdery and/or granular substances , which are to fill the containers10.

[0030] In the proximity of the relative mouth 2 a, the main body 2turnably supports a collecting member consisting of a revolving funnel 4partly inserted into the inside tube 23, adapted for being crossed bythe above flow of powdery and/or granular substances so as to allow themto freely pass through the same inside tube 23 and the relative endnozzle 3. Upstream of funnel 4 there are provided dosing means 7, ofknown type, capable of feeding the mouth 4a of the same with a pluralityof doses of powdery and/or granular substances.

[0031] The revolving funnel 4 supports conveying and stirring means 5,for example consisting of a filiform element 5 a, which extend into theinside tube 23 up to close the end nozzle 3, adapted for preventing theformation of agglomerates in the above flow of substances (FIG. 1).

[0032] The revolving funnel 4 is rotated relative to the main body 2 bydriving means 6 so as to drive in stiff rotation the filiform element 5a within the spatial region comprised between the inside tube 23 and therelative end nozzle 3.

[0033] By way of an example, the driving means 6 comprise an drivinggear 4 b, fixed outside the revolving funnel 4, adapted for engagingwith a linkage 9 actuated by the carrousel conveyor 8 revolving relativeto axis 8 a.

[0034]FIG. 2 shows one of the possible linkage 9 which provides for apinion 90, turnably supported by a pin 93 integral with the carrouselconveyor 8, engaging with the driving gear 4b and with a toothed wheel91, stationary relative to the revolving carrousel 8.

[0035] The main body 2, in particular, forms a lateral thorough groove20 into which pinion 90 is inserted to allow the mutual engagement ofthe latter with the driving gear 4 b associated to the revolving funnel4.

[0036] The main body. 2 and the revolving funnel 4 are advantageouslyshaped according to relative cylindrical geometries coaxial to oneanother.

[0037] In particular, in order to increase the outflow speed of thepowdery and/or granular substances, the revolving funnel 4 is shapedaccording to a truncated cone geometry, converging in the direction ofthe inside tube 23.

[0038] Into the inside tube 23, the filiform element 5 a extends closeto the relative wall so as to prevent the formation of “bridges” and oragglomerates close to the walls caused by the powdery and/or granularsubstances flowing therein.

[0039] Similarly, into the end nozzle 3, the filiform element 5 aextends close to the relative wall so as to prevent the formation ofagglomerates.

[0040] Advantageously, such filiform element 5a is shaped and extendsaccording to a variable spatial configuration that provides for analternation of spiral shaped portions (C1), rectilinear portions (A1,A2, A3), and curvilinear portions (B1, B2).

[0041] The helical portion (C1) allows an optimum stability of thefiliform element 5 a during the revolution and in the presence ofstresses generated by the flow of powdery and/or granular substances,guaranteeing an effective preventive action against the formation of“bridges” and/or agglomerates.

[0042] The material forming the filiform element 5 a, preferably of theflexible type, can be a stiff or a semi-flexible material. FIG. 1 showsan embodiment that uses a single filiform element 5 a, whereas figure lashows an alternative embodiment wherein a pair of filiform elements isused (5 a, 50 a), both supported by the revolving funnel 4, mechanicallyinterconnected to one another.

[0043] The operation of the outlet unit 1 proposed herein, describedhereinafter, is particularly simple and evident.

[0044] According to what said above, the revolution of axis 8a of thecarrousel conveyor 8, by the interposition of the linkage 9, causes therevolution of the revolving funnel 4 relative to the main body 2, andthereby relative to the inside tube 23.

[0045] The actuation of the revolving funnel 4 drives in rotation thefiliform element 5 a, or multiple filiform elements 5 a, that perform adual action: scraping the internal walls of both the inside tube 23 andof the end nozzle 3, so as to prevent the formation of agglomerates ofpowdery and/or granular substances at the same; breaking anyagglomerates that may form into the flow of powdery and/or granularsubstances that, released by the dosing means 7, cross the revolvingfunnel 4 and the inside tube 23 and flow into the end nozzle 3.

[0046] The dosed flow of powdery and/or granular substances exits fromthe inside tube 23 through the end nozzle 3 that is every time faced, orinserted, at the mouths of containers 10 to be filled.

[0047] In order to facilitate the coupling of the end nozzle 3 with therelative containers 10, the same slides axially, integrally with theinside tube 23 and in contrast with the elastic means 3 a, relative tothe sleeve 21, stiffly fixed to the bottom portion of the main body 2.

[0048] The unit proposed for feeding substances, in particular powdery,granular and similar substances, thereby ensures an optimum flow of thedosed substances through the end nozzle, irrespective of the volume ofthe doses and of the nature of the same substances, thus allowing aproper filling of the containers.

[0049] The possibility of quickly assembling the main body to the unitconsisting of the sleeve, of the inside tube, of the elastic means andof the end nozzle, allows periodical cleaning and maintenance of theoutlet unit of the invention at short time intervals.

[0050] The presence of the revolving filiform element into the insidetube, but above all in the proximity of the end nozzle, allows limitingand preventing, during the dispensing of the dosed substances, theformation of “bridges” and/or agglomerates by the same, so as to ensurea proper feeding of the relative containers and so as to favour theconveyance of the substances through the end nozzle.

[0051] The presence of a plurality of filiform elements mutuallyconnected, for example at a connecting section 17, allows a higherstabilisation of the unit resulting during the revolution and moreeffective and long-lasting scraping and breaking up actions.

[0052] The revolving conveying and stirring means ensure a scrapingaction on the internal walls of the inside tube and of the end nozzle,so as to prevent the formation of agglomerates of powdery and/orgranular substances at the same.

[0053] According to a further embodiment, the outlet unit proposedherein can be advantageously realised according to a simple geometrythat provides for the main unit as capable of turnably supporting therevolving funnel and of directly carrying the end nozzle, without theinterposition of the sleeve and of the inside tube.

[0054] In this case, the powdery and/or granular substances coming outof the dosing means directly pass through the revolving funnel and thecentral body, exiting from the end nozzle facing the containers.

[0055] The conveying and stirring means, which can consist of aplurality of filiform elements 5 a with a variable spatialconfiguration, supported by the revolving funnel, can be independent ofone another or mechanically connected during the rotation, at theconnecting section 17.

[0056] In the case of mechanically connected filiform elements, a higherstabilisation of the unit during the rotation and a particularlyeffective scraping and breaking up action are ensured (FIG. 1a).

[0057] In place of the linkage actuated by the revolving carrouselconveyor, the driving means can provide for any actuating means capableof engaging with the driving gear fixed to the revolving funnel anddriving the latter in rotation.

[0058] According to a further embodiment, the conveying and stirringmeans consisting of one or more filiform elements, can be turnablysupported by the main body and directly actuated in rotation by thedriving means, without the interposition of the revolving funnel.

[0059] In this case, the dosing means directly dispense the powderyand/or granular substances to the central body, suitably shaped as afunnel, inside which the conveying and stirring means rotate.

What is claimed is:
 1. A feeding unit for feeding powdery and/orgranular substances to containers, including: a main body with an inletmouth and a bottom portion, for receiving and conveying a flow of saidsubstances; one end nozzle joined to said bottom portion of said mainbody and designed for feeding said substances to said containers; thefeeding unit further including: conveying and stirring means turnablysupported by said main body and extending inside said main body at leastup to a region close to said end nozzle, for preventing formation ofagglomerates into said flow of powdery and/or granular substance;driving means for driving in rotation said conveying and stirring meanswith respect to said main body and in a space comprised within said mainbody and said end nozzle.
 2. A unit according to claim 1, furtherincluding at least one collecting member turnably supported by said mainbody and at least partially inserted into said inlet mouth for receivingthe above mentioned flow of substances and allowing free passage of thesame substances through itself and through the main body; with saidcollecting member being capable of supporting said conveying andstirring means and being driven in rotation, with respect to the saidmain body, by said driving means so as to cause rotation of the sameconveying and stirring means.
 3. A unit according to claim 2, whereinsaid main body is carried by a carrousel conveyor, and said drivingmeans include a driving gear provided at the outside of said collectingmember for engagement with a transmission linkage driven by saidcarrousel conveyor revolving relative to a corresponding axis.
 4. A unitaccording to claim 3, wherein said transmission linkage includes atleast one pinion in mesh engagement with said driving gear and with atoothed wheel, provided nearby, stationary relative to the revolvingcarrousel.
 5. A unit according to claim 1, wherein said conveying andstirring means extend, at least in part, close to an inner wall of saidmain body, to prevent formation of agglomerates from said powdery and/orgranular substances.
 6. A unit according to claim 1, wherein saidconveying and stirring means extend, at least in part, close to an innerwall of said end nozzle, to prevent formation of agglomerates from saidpowdery and/or granular substances.
 7. A unit according to claim 1,wherein said conveying and stirring means includes at least one filiformelement.
 8. A unit according to claim 7, wherein said filiform elementincludes at least one spiral-shaped portion.
 9. A unit according toclaim 7, wherein said filiform element includes at least one curvilinearportion, or at least one spiral-shaped portion and at least onecurvilinear portion.
 10. A unit according to claim 7, wherein saidfiliform element includes at least one rectilinear portion, or at leastone curvilinear portion, or at least one spiral-shaped portion, or atleast one spiral-shaped portion and at least one curvilinear portion andat least one rectilinear portion in any different combination.
 11. Aunit according to claim 7, wherein said filiform element is made from asemi-flexible material, or from a stiff material, or from a flexiblematerial.
 12. A unit according to claim 1, wherein said conveying andstirring means include a plurality of filiform elements with variablespatial configuration which do not interact with one another.
 13. A unitaccording to claim 1, wherein said conveying and stirring means includea plurality of filiform elements with variable spatial configurationwhich are connected to one another at least one connecting section. 14.A unit according to any one of the previous claims 2, wherein said mainbody and said collecting member are shaped according to a substantiallycylindrical geometry and are coaxial with one another, whereas saidcollecting member is shaped according to a frusto-conical geometryconverging in direction of said main body.
 15. A unit according to claim2, further including dosing means disposed upstream of said collectingmember for feeding an inlet mouth of said collecting member with aplurality of doses of said powdery and/or granular substances.
 16. Aunit according to claim 2, wherein said collecting means consist of arotary funnel turnably supported by said main body.
 17. A unit accordingto claim 1, further including a sleeve removably joined to the bottomportion of said main body, said sleeve supporting, in a regioncorresponding to a relative annular abutment, an inside tube, coaxialwith the sleeve, removably joined, at a bottom portion, to the said endnozzle.
 18. A unit according to claim 17, further including elasticmeans interposed between said end nozzle and said sleeve, which elasticmeans allows reciprocal sliding, with respect to said sleeve, of the endnozzle along with the inside tube joined to the nozzle.
 19. A unitaccording to claim 18, further including an annular chamber formedwithin said sleeve for receiving and biasing said elastic means.